NEW YORK — Tuesday was the first day the media could watch Jets OTA practice since the team acquired Aaron Rodgers.
But all the assembled media saw of Gang Green’s new superstar quarterback was him standing on the sideline for 90 minutes.
After warming up with his teammates, Rodgers spent most of Tuesday’s practice without a helmet on the sideline. He tweaked his calf while warming up and took the day off as he didn’t participate in either individual or team drills.
“I just tweaked my calf pre-practice conditions,” Rodgers said. “I don’t think it’s too serious.”
Rodgers didn’t go inside with trainers to get looked at as he watched Zach Wilson run the first-team offense during 7-on-7 drills throughout the day. It appears not practicing Tuesday was just a precautionary measure. He also chatted with assistant coaches during the practice session and pointed out directions to players as the Jets were running a new offense under Nathaniel Hackett, who was hired in January.
“Just having his presence, his insight in football,” Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah said about Rodgers. “I’m learning a lot, just the concepts, the coverages, how he wants us to run certain things, he’s opening up the playbook.
“It isn’t necessarily, you’re running to a spot and things of that nature. I will find you in this window, you don’t have to do X, Y, Z, or whatever.
“Meetings is where we feel his presence the most because it isn’t someone talking to you, it’s ‘we are going to stop for a second to talk about this just so we are on the same page.’ It has been awesome.”
Monday was the first day of three weeks of organized team activities for Robert Saleh’s team. Gang Green also will have practices the following two weeks leading up to a mandatory minicamp, which will be held June 13-15.
Following the anticipated trade for Rodgers, the former four-time NFL MVP said he would participate in the team’s voluntary offseason program. During his previous three seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers skipped voluntary OTAs, but he did practice with the rest of his new teammates on Monday.
“It’s been awesome,” Rodgers said. “Have had a lot of fun, haven’t been to OTAs the last couple of years. It’s been nice to be out here, being in meetings, speaking up about certain things, adjustments in the offense, additional coaching points.
“Obviously, got a long history with Nathaniel, so he has given me the latitude to speak up in meetings and just the opportunity to help out Zach [Wilson], Tim [Boyle] and Chris [Streveler].”
It has been almost a month since Rodgers was officially traded from the Packers to the Jets. During that short time, the future Hall of Famer has already changed the culture inside the Jets facility.
Players have noted Rodgers has held them accountable during meetings as he has raised the standard for the organization. Gang Green hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010, the longest postseason drought in the NFL. With the addition of Rodgers, many expect the Jets to be a playoff contender and possibly have a chance to reach the Super Bowl.
“Would love to go 17-0 and cruise to the playoffs and win a championship, but we are not going to be able to unless we focus on the moments,” Saleh said.
“Acknowledge the noise, acknowledge the positivity, be excited about it because, in my opinion, I think 32 coaches stand in front of their teams every year and talk about winning a championship and realistically there’s maybe six or eight teams that have an actual chance to do it and I do think we are one of those teams.
“But none of it matters unless we do it and take care of it today.”
Not only has Rodgers made his presence felt inside the Jets' facility, but he was also seen at Knicks and Rangers games earlier this month. Being a California native, Rodgers didn’t know much about New Jersey outside of Teterboro Airport and the reality TV show “Jersey Shore” before his arrival.
Now, Rodgers has gotten to know the area away from the Jets facility.
“Everybody has been great,” Rodgers said. “People out and about, they’re really kind and enjoyed stopping and taking pictures and whatever they need.
“Obviously, with the city close by, there are so many New Yorkers who are tremendous fans.
“It has been like a dream month so far.”
